Yes, Susan Hirsh, the free market, which created a situation in which affordable housing has been in short supply in the Bay Area (even in Oakland), coupled with lax enforcement of government regulations that should have helped to protect the safety of those who must rent a place to live (as opposed to owning one, which requires capital and/or higher income levels), created a tragedy in Oakland.

Don't tell me, Susan, that you favor government regulation? Rent controlled housing for lower income brackets? Raising the minimum wage, perhaps? Government enforcement of health and safety regulations?

(It seems in their sick quest to turn every current event -- even tragedies like this -- into an indictment of "liberals," some commenters can't even recognize when the arguments they make are incompatible with their standard-issue right wing talking points and corporate-manufactured ideology.)

26 likes, 10 dislikes

Posted by
Frightening levels of incoherence in liberal-bashing these days
on 12/04/2016 at 8:07 PM

"Preliminary indications suggest the blaze was not caused by arson, but rather an electrical fire. The power went out inside the building when the fire began and the flames blocked the building's only exit, making it difficult for people inside to escape, an official briefed on the ongoing investigation told ABC News."

And Susan Hirsch is attempting to slander liberals by suggesting they started this. What a disrespectful move to all those involved.

Mr. What, Again really seems to dislike facts. A far as far can go right wing conservative who seemingly has no ideas of his own. Just another sheep in a flock of know-nothings where the only purpose for belonging is to tow the party line. Individuality and independent thought be damned! If you do any less, you've become a "progressive" liberal who might as well be sucking at the teat of Crooked Hillary and the rest of those Obama administration loving heathens. What good does having hate do you if you can't utilize it to its fullest extent?

23 likes, 9 dislikes

Posted by
What, Again is the most subservient conservative sheep ever
on 12/04/2016 at 6:01 PM

Thanks for the link, but what we'll be watching is not what's going on in Cuba, but what kind of Pudding is being served (and to whom) here in the good old U.S. of A.

There's been a lot of rejoicing among Trump supporters in the comment streams...but the reality is the pressure (and intense 24/7 media scrutiny) is now focused on the former candidate, current President-elect, who has already seen fit to admit he doesn't intend to follow through on a few key crowd-pleasing assertions made on the campaign trail.

I expect that in the months to come the attention of a sufficient number of the electorate will remain exactly where it belongs: on Trump's promise delivery and the effect of his policies on the 99%.

26 likes, 9 dislikes

Posted by
The Proof will be in the Make-America-Great-Again Pudding
on 12/04/2016 at 5:40 PM

There's even some of us who are Canadian that know how damaging this asshat will be to our whole continent...and to the other six.

Even the penguin population in Antarctica is freaking out, more so than the scientists. You know, the scientists, the people that the Uneducated Usurper thinks have so much less knowledge than his pampered and entitled ass. It takes all kinds, doesn't it?

I want to thank Shelby, Rae Dawn, Robbi, Paris, Gilbran, Precious, Marcus and last but not least, my ace boon Cheech. We are all in this together, whether we are white, brown, black, Asian...or even a mixture of black and Asian...we are all in this together. Fight the Orange hate!

The proof is, as they say, in the pudding. The Make-America-Great Again Pudding will have to be served to the middle and lower classes as well as the 1% in order to get this demagogue re-elected in 2020. But unless he significantly alters his policies, mindset, and modus operandi, he will not achieve benefit to the majority of people working for a living in this country.

Keep your eye on the ball, Progressives: Donnie Drumpf was elected by recruiting votes from sectors of the citizenry whose best interests he will not serve. What happens in those sectors -- with prosperity, access to and quality of educational opportunities, safety nets, health care, and economic security -- will be what needs to be observed, reported, and discussed relentlessly for the next four years.

26 likes, 11 dislikes

Posted by
The Proof will be in the Make-America-Great-Again Pudding
on 12/04/2016 at 11:13 AM

It makes plenty of difference when +2 million more citizens tried to make it happen. But please, keep ignoring reality and let it smack you upside the head when you least expect it.

The Orange Devil and his minions haven't shown us just how bad it will become yet, but you just wait. It's going to serve a blind person such as yourself even worse than those of us who know what to expect.

16 likes, 4 dislikes

Posted by
Johnny Unite Us is just another dumb ass sheep in Trump's flock
on 12/04/2016 at 10:01 AM

Hmmm, What Again - I think when you read "Theories of Surplus Value" you may have missed a couple of key points. Marx does not advocate that "instead of earning on their own" people "simply take from those that have." If you can't find the time to go to the source, you might try Googling the term "alienation of labor" or "capital in search of surplus value." See if you can find an online source of information that helps you to understand the concepts.

Just as all financial "bubbles" are destined to burst, all societies built on systemic injustice and exploitation are destined, eventually, to correct their courses. Sometimes you have to go far enough in the wrong direction that the grass roots reaction builds strength. Some speculate that that is where we are now. Sanders and Warren and others like them are continuing to build their networks. I will venture to guess that there will be no great increase in prosperity -- and no great increase in the quality of education available -- for the middle and the bottom sectors of our citizenry during the next four years. When the next election cycle rolls around, those sectors may be prepared to vote better leadership in. We'll see.

27 likes, 9 dislikes

Posted by
Don't throw the name around if you haven't read the author.
on 12/04/2016 at 7:19 AM

You mean like Hillary denounced the Soros funded thugs that infiltrated Trump rallys or did you mean the way she told the rioters to stop? Winning the popular vote is like an NFL team that loses a game by a field goal, claiming the gained more yardage. It makes no difference.

These comments deteriorate so quickly into either self congratulations or insults, missing the point of the article. Trump's gonna get his chance, but now it is up to Trump supporters to stop escalating and fuming and start calling out bad actors across the country making real threats when someone disagrees and they want to "punch him in the face." Millions voted for Trump but millions (and a couple million more) did not vote for Trump and they get to live here too.